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They called out disruptive activities in relation to long-standing oil and gas projects in the sea.

Australia and Vietnam stated that international law should be followed despite China continuing to ignore a 2016 ruling against their actions in the South China Sea.

Mr Morrison said countries in the Indo-Pacific should be free to pursue their own interests.

"It is about ensuring that each and every nation in the region can have confidence in its own independence and sovereignty," he told reporters.

But both leaders stopped short of explicitly naming China, continuing to call out the behaviour rather than the perpetrator.

"I am not here to make accusations or do anything of that nature. We do not take sides," Mr Morrison said.

Mr Phuc presented a united front on their position on the South China Sea.

"We are deeply concerned about recent complex developments in the South China Sea and agreed to co-operate in maintaining peace and stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation," he said through an interpreter.